The Tribune

THE HBCUX Network, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (BMT), Central State (CSU) and Texas Southern (TSU) Universities held a joint news conference in Nassau, Bahamas on May 21 to announce the inauguration of the “Bahamas HBCUX Classic,” an American football game between CSU and TSU to be held at Nassau’s Thomas A Robinson Stadium on Saturday, September 13, 2014.

HBCUX Network, a recently launched digital network, is planning a weekend of events including college recruitment and career fairs, empowerment workshops, a classic tailgate concert culminating with the football game and a “battle-of-the-bands” competition. HBCUX Network is committed to hosting the event for the next three years.

“Although the weekend certainly includes lots of fun and entertainment, our goal is to increase awareness and advance the educational opportunities at HBCU’s,” said HBCUX Network President & CEO Curtis Symonds. He added, “History is being made today” after CSU’s Athletic Director Jahan Culbreath and TSU Athletic Director Dr. Charles McClelland affirmed Symond’s statement by presenting The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism with a total of six—three each—full academic scholarships for deserving Bahamian students to attend their respective schools.

HBCUX Network General Manager & COO, Clint Evans explained: “We came to the Bahamas with a dream of increasing exposure of the HBCU experience. With that in mind, Central State and Texas Southern stepped up by providing six scholarships for deserving young adults on the island. This is what HBUCX Network is about changing the game.” Representatives from The Bahamas Minister of Tourism were surprised by the scholarships, the details of which will be determined later, but graciously accepted the gifts in appreciation of the newly-forged relationship between the participants.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Central State to participate in the inaugural Bahamas HBCUX Classic,” Culbreath said. “It will allow Central State to showcase our university while broadening our reach within The Bahamas and the Caribbean. Participating and traveling to another country always adds to a quality collegiate experience for our students. We look forward to establishing new relationships with the wonderful Bahamian community.”

McClelland said: “This will indeed be a tremendous experience for our student athletes to play in this inaugural HBCUX Classic Football game. This will be a life-lasting memory for our student athletes. But more importantly, Texas Southern will participate in a career fair and have recruiters available to answer questions about our university. I think the Bahamian community is in for a special treat. And, hopefully, we can win a football game and some friends.”

“HBCUX Network is committed to the goal of increasing exposure of HBCU’s through promoting the educational value and diversity of these great institutions,” Symonds continued.

“As a native of Bermuda and a product of an HBCU, I can personally vouch for the value of higher education. I can’t stress enough the importance of assisting HBCU’s in continuing to thrive. It is essential that they are an integral part of our global society. Toward that end, it is necessary to expand ones outreach to people of color and the world community,” he concluded.

HBCUX Network has created an exclusive website to promote the game and hotel packages that will be available. As a minimum, the packages include a two night stay, two tickets to the game and a one month subscription to HBCUX Network. More nights and additional amenities can be added. For more information, please visit www. HBCUXClassic.com

HBCUX Network headquartered in Washington, DC, is a 24/7, education, entertainment, lifestyle and sports programming network. The programming includes original series, student productions, music, movies and specials.

HBCUX Network is an advertiser and subscription supported service, with a portion of the proceeds generated going to scholarship funds to attend HBCUs.

The Bahamas, located 50 miles off the east coast of Florida, is an ecological oasis featuring 700 islands over 100,000 square miles of ocean with the world’s third largest barrier reef and the clearest water on the planet — with a visibility of over 200 feet. The Bahamas attracts almost six million international visitors each year.

Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, is one of the nation’s oldest historically black universities, with a 125-year legacy of academic and athletic achievements. It is Ohio’s only predominately African American public institution of higher education but promotes diversity in its student body, faculty and staff. With the return of football to Central State in 2005, the Mighty Marauders are reviving a legacy that produced several conference championships. Central State’s move to NCAA Division II widens the university’s competitive field and provides more exposure for CSU’s student athletes. Central State’s marching band, the Invincible Marching Marauders, have twice performed at the national Honda Battle of the Bands and been featured in the 2006 film “Dave Chappelle’s Block Party.”

Texas Southern University, in Houston Texas, was founded in 1927. With an enrollment of 9,700 undergraduate and graduate students, it is one of the nation’s largest historically black universities. Although initially established to educate African Americans, Texas Southern University has become one of the most diverse institutions in Texas. The TSU Tigers football team, a member of the NCAA Southwestern Athletic Conference, is in a rebuilding mode with 16 new recruits for the 2014 season.

“The Ocean of Soul” marching band promotes excellence and the school’s legacy is that of preparing and developing accomplished professional men and women to take their rightful place in the global society. TSU offers some of the most unique degree programs that lead to jobs of the future, including Maritime Transportation, Urban Planning, Aviation Science Management, Entertainment and the Recording Industry, Sports Management, Emergency Management and Homeland Security.